HAVING beaten England at university and under 21 levels this season, Ireland take on England on four more fronts this weekend. The main event will, of course, be at Twickenham in the International Championship tomorrow, but this afternoon at the Richmond Athletic Ground, Ireland will be going for the Triple Crown at A level.

Tonight at the Oxford University ground Iffley Road, the Ireland Students take on their English counterparts and tomorrow morning at Sunbury the Ireland Colleges meet the England Colleges.

England A have won four matches this season, but as they do not meet either Scotland or Wales at this level, the Triple Crown is not at stake for them. But a 100 per cent return, from the season is, and promotion to the senior squad also offers a big incentive.

They have defeated Western Samoa, France A, New South Wales and Italy. The England selectors have gone for development and emerging players rather than, as in the past relying on a leavening of experienced internationals. The only capped player in the side is right wing Paul Hull. But all the players have made a mark in schools, under 21 and development levels.

Ireland, in contrast, include seven internationals but the team also contains many players who have made their mark on the schools and under 21 scenes.

Two of the side have played at under 21 for Ireland this season against England, second row Malcolm O'Kelly and wing James Topping. If Ireland win today they will have the distinction of helping to win the Triple Crown at two levels as the under 21s have already achieved that.

England include two members of the under 21 team that lost to Ireland in Northampton - scrum-half Andy Gomarsalt and second row Chris Murphy. Murphy, who is 6 ft 8 ins and over 19 st, wins his first A cap. He played at under 21 last season and again this season against Ireland, and finished on the losing side on each occasion.

Murphy and his second row partner David Sims will be faced today by O'Kelly and Neil Francis in the line out and that area could decide the pattern - and outcome - of the match.

Although the Ireland team is much changed from the side that defeated the Scots, as several on that side have earned promotion and will be playing in Twickenham, there is just one change from the A team that beat Wales 25-11. Shane Byrne, fit again, returns at hooker. Jim Staples had been chosen at full back for Conor O'Shea but Staples is ruled out by injury, so O'Shea takes over at full back.

The Ireland pack played extremely well in that match and a similar effort today could lay the foundations for a win that would not alone yield the Triple Crown, but give Ireland a first win at A level against England on English soil.

There is certainly enough experience and ability in the Irish back line to capitalise on opportunity from the international half back pairing of Alain Rolland and Eric Elwood through a three quarter line that includes internationals in Sean McCahill in the centre, Richard Wallace on the right wing and O'Shea at full back.

It is a strong Ireland side and if the back row of Anthony Foley, Barry Walsh both scored tries against Wales - and Liam Toland play with the purpose and effect they did against the Welsh and close down Gomarsall and partner Alex King it will blunt England's attacking edge.

But Ireland must tackle effectively and the England back row of Martin Corry, Anthony Diprose and Rory Jenkins must be contained and not allowed to establish an attacking platform. Ireland are good enough to win but ability must be matched by conviction.

The Students, who lost heavily to France a month ago, have a chance to improve on that performance in Oxford tonight. This encounter is an important part of their preparation for the forthcoming Students World Cup.

This looks a stronger Irish combination than the one that played in France and includes Darragh O'Mahony, a full international, and members of the under 21 Triple Crown winning side in Dominic Crotty, Ray McIlreavy, Jan Cunningham, Barry McConnell and Kieron Dawson.

. Abdel Benazzi, having become the first player for 30 years to wear jerseys six, seven and eight in the 1994 Five Nations Championship, is unhappy at being put back to his 1993 number, four.

"It's a step back as far as I'm concerned after three years in the Agen back row but if that's where the selectors want me I'll give it a go," the Moroccan born forward said as France prepared for tomorrow's match against Wales.

"We did win the championship in 1993 with Olivier (Roumat) and me in the second row so perhaps it's a sign," added the 27 year old.